Less than one in 10 individuals that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy are able to get them, caution the WHO as it issues its initial advice on the drugs.
With more than one billion people worldwide now obese, it is calling for increased and just availability to GLP-1 medication.
Based on estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidance recognises that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with holistic and ongoing care," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are major obstacles to widespread availability to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing considerable weight, explains the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Despite the current most favorable case, the production of these medications would only suffice for about 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, according to the health organization.
The advice urges governments and firms to increase access, through measures like licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the core component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Function
These medications replicate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and increase the sense of being full so individuals reduce food intake.
Individuals usually begin shedding pounds after several weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Studies indicates patients may see weight return after a year of halting the medication, when their usual hunger resume.
Being carrying excess weight increases your risk for contracting medical conditions, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Obesity concerns individuals in every country and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
